What are the 100 absolute best songs in history? That question will raise as many hackles on the backs of necks as the questions of who are the greatest players in a given sport or the best presidents in American history. (Here’s a list of every Song of the Year since the Grammys started.)
It may not settle any arguments, but 24/7 Tempo devised a way to determine what those 100 best songs would be. (Note that this list covers only specific performances of pop songs from the 1950s through the present day, and doesn’t include standards from the so-called Great American Songbook, classic folk songs, or other earlier music.)
To compile our list, we developed an index composed of Billboard chart performance, critical rankings, and cultural popularity. An inverse score wherein a week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 is worth 100 points, a week at No. 2 worth 99 points, up to a week at No. 100 worth one point, was included in the index at full weight. A song’s ranking on the 2021 edition of Rolling Stone’s “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time” list was included in the index at full weight. The number of times a song has been covered was included in the index at double weight. (Data on song covers and songwriting credits comes from song database SecondHandSongs.) Only songs on the Rolling Stone list were considered. (These are the best cover songs of all time.)
Baby Boomers who feel that the music produced while they were coming of age was the best ever might feel vindicated by this list. Of the 100 songs here, exactly 60% of them – including eight of the top 10 – are from the 1960s and ‘70s. The explosion of pop music in those decades was intense.
Besides homegrown rock ‘n’ roll from the Beach Boys and Creedence Clearwater Revival, soul and Motown sounds from acts like the Miracles and the Temptations, and singer/songwriter performances by such as Simon & Garfunkel and Joni Mitchell, the music scene was enlivened by the British invasion, led most of all by The Beatles, who have three songs in the top 10.
Click here to see the absolute best songs in history
The 1970s marked a period of distinct shift in American music, spawning disco, funk, and such rock ‘n’ roll subgenres as punk and new wave. There are 21 songs from the 1970s on the list, from artists including Earth, Wind & Fire, the Bee Gees, David Bowie, Stevie Wonder, and Roberta Flack.
There are also six songs here from the classic rock ‘n’ roll era of the 1950s – but none from the 2020s.
Source: Al Bello / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
100. Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag (1966)
> Artist: James Brown
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 8 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 13 weeks
> Written by: James Brown
Source: Frank Micelotta / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
99. Yeah! (2004)
> Artist: Usher Featuring Lil Jon & Ludacris
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 12 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 45 weeks
> Written by: Usher Featuring Lil Jon & Ludacris
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
98. A Case of You (1971)
> Artist: Joni Mitchell
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: N/A
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: N/A
> Written by: Joni Mitchell
Source: Miguel Villagran / Getty Images
97. What’s Love Got To Do With It (1984)
> Artist: Tina Turner
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 3 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 28 weeks
> Written by: Tina Turner
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Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
96. Whole Lotta Love (1969)
> Artist: Led Zeppelin
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 4 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 15 weeks
> Written by: Led Zeppelin
Source: Central Press / Getty Images
95. Family Affair (1971)
> Artist: Sly & The Family Stone
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 3 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 14 weeks
> Written by: Sly & The Family Stone
94. Running Up That Hill (1985)
> Artist: Kate Bush
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 30 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 20 weeks
> Written by: Kate Bush
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
93. Louie Louie (1963)
> Artist: The Kingsmen
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 2 (for 6 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 18 weeks
> Written by: The Kingsmen
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
92. The Tracks of My Tears (1965)
> Artist: The Miracles
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 16 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 12 weeks
> Written by: The Miracles
Source: Phil Walter / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
91. Beat It (1982)
> Artist: Michael Jackson
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 3 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 25 weeks
> Written by: Michael Jackson
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
90. Stairway to Heaven (1971)
> Artist: Led Zeppelin
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: N/A
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: N/A
> Written by: Led Zeppelin
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images
89. I Walk the Line (1956)
> Artist: Johnny Cash
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: N/A
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: N/A
> Written by: Johnny Cash
Source: Ian Gavan / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
88. Jolene (1974)
> Artist: Dolly Parton
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 60 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 8 weeks
> Written by: Dolly Parton
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
87. Paint It, Black (1966)
> Artist: The Rolling Stones
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 11 week
> Written by: The Rolling Stones
86. Blueberry Hill (1956)
> Artist: Fats Domino
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: N/A
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: N/A
> Written by: Fats Domino
85. Paper Planes (2008)
> Artist: M.I.A.
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 4 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 20 weeks
> Written by: M.I.A.
Source: Echoes / Redferns via Getty Images
84. Dancing In The Street (1964)
> Artist: Martha & The Vandellas
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 2 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 14 weeks
> Written by: Martha & The Vandellas
83. Fast Car (1988)
> Artist: Tracy Chapman
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 6 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 21 week
> Written by: Tracy Chapman
Source: Martyn Goddard / Getty Images
82. Every Breath You Take (1983)
> Artist: The Police
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 8 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 22 weeks
> Written by: The Police
Source: Express Newspapers / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
81. Heroes (1977)
> Artist: David Bowie
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: N/A
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: N/A
> Written by: David Bowie
80. Doo Wop (That Thing) (1998)
> Artist: Lauryn Hill
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 21 week
> Written by: Lauryn Hill
Source: Frazer Harrison / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
79. Thank U, Next (2019)
> Artist: Ariana Grande
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 7 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 28 weeks
> Written by: Ariana Grande
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
78. Ain’t No Sunshine (1971)
> Artist: Bill Withers
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 3 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 16 weeks
> Written by: Bill Withers
Source: Mark Metcalfe / Getty Images
77. Creep (1992)
> Artist: Radiohead
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 34 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 20 weeks
> Written by: Radiohead
Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
76. …Baby One More Time (1998)
> Artist: Britney Spears
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 32 weeks
> Written by: Britney Spears
75. September (1978)
> Artist: Earth, Wind & Fire
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 8 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 17 weeks
> Written by: Earth, Wind & Fire
Source: Paul Kane / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
74. Losing My Religion (1991)
> Artist: R.E.M.
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 4 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 21 week
> Written by: R.E.M.
Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
73. Toxic (2003)
> Artist: Britney Spears
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 9 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 20 weeks
> Written by: Britney Spears
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
72. (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman (1967)
> Artist: Aretha Franklin
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 8 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 9 weeks
> Written by: Aretha Franklin
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
71. Like a Prayer (1989)
> Artist: Madonna
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 3 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 16 weeks
> Written by: Madonna
Source: Fox Photos / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
70. Space Oddity (1969)
> Artist: David Bowie
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 15 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 15 weeks
> Written by: David Bowie
Source: ShowBizIreland / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
69. Wonderwall (1995)
> Artist: Oasis
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 8 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 20 weeks
> Written by: Oasis
Source: Fin Costello / Redferns via Getty Images
68. I Feel Love (1977)
> Artist: Donna Summer
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 6 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 23 weeks
> Written by: Donna Summer
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
67. Try a Little Tenderness (1966)
> Artist: Otis Redding
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 25 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 10 weeks
> Written by: Otis Redding
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Source: Chris Graythen / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
66. Kiss (1986)
> Artist: Prince
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 20 weeks
> Written by: Prince
Source: Cameron Spencer / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
65. You Oughta Know (1995)
> Artist: Alanis Morisette
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 6 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 30 weeks
> Written by: Alanis Morisette
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
64. Ode To Billie Joe (1967)
> Artist: Bobbie Gentry
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 4 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 20 weeks
> Written by: Bobbie Gentry
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
63. Good Vibrations (1966)
> Artist: The Beach Boys
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 14 weeks
> Written by: The Beach Boys
Source: Bennett Raglin / Getty Images
62. Work It (2000)
> Artist: Missy Elliot
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 2 (for 10 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 26 weeks
> Written by: Missy Elliot
Source: Christopher Polk / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
61. Hold On, We’re Going Home (2013)
> Artist: Drake Featuring Majid Jordan
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 4 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 33 weeks
> Written by: Drake Featuring Majid Jordan
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images
60. Wichita Lineman (1968)
> Artist: Glen Campbell
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 3 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 15 weeks
> Written by: Glen Campbell
Source: Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images
59. Both Sides Now (1969)
> Artist: Joni Mitchell
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: N/A
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: N/A
> Written by: Joni Mitchell
Source: Frank Barratt / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
58. I Want You Back (1969)
> Artist: Jackson 5
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 19 weeks
> Written by: Jackson 5
Source: Michael Kovac / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
57. Fire and Rain (1970)
> Artist: James Taylor
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 3 (for 3 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 16 weeks
> Written by: James Taylor
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
56. Reach Out I’ll Be There (1967)
> Artist: Four Tops
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 15 weeks
> Written by: Four Tops
Source: Scott Gries / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
55. Waterfalls (1995)
> Artist: TLC
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 7 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 34 weeks
> Written by: TLC
Source: bodellia / Flickr
54. Sweet Child O’ Mine (1987)
> Artist: Guns N’ Roses
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 24 weeks
> Written by: Guns N’ Roses
53. Get Ur Freak On (2001)
> Artist: Missy Elliott
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 7 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 25 weeks
> Written by: Missy Elliott
Source: Evening Standard / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
52. All Along the Watchtower (1968)
> Artist: Jimi Hendrix
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 20 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 9 weeks
> Written by: Jimi Hendrix
Source: Mike Coppola / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
51. One (1992)
> Artist: U2
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 10 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 20 weeks
> Written by: U2
Source: Emma McIntyre / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
50. Nuthin’ But A “G” Thang (1992)
> Artist: Dr. Dre
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 2 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 27 weeks
> Written by: Dr. Dre
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
49. Crazy (1961)
> Artist: Patsy Cline
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 9 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 11 week
> Written by: Patsy Cline
Source: mark downey / Corbis Entertainment via Getty Images
48. When Doves Cry (1984)
> Artist: Prince
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 5 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 23 weeks
> Written by: Prince
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images
47. I Heard It Through the Grapevine (1968)
> Artist: Marvin Gaye
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 7 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 15 weeks
> Written by: Marvin Gaye
Source: David Redfern / Redferns via Getty Images
46. Your Song (1970)
> Artist: Elton John
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 8 (for 4 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 14 weeks
> Written by: Elton John
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
45. Johnny B. Goode (1958)
> Artist: Chuck Berry
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: N/A
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: N/A
> Written by: Chuck Berry
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
44. I Say a Little Prayer (1968)
> Artist: Aretha Franklin
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 10 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 11 week
> Written by: Aretha Franklin
Source: Gary Gershoff / Archive Photos via Getty Images
43. Purple Rain (1984)
> Artist: Prince
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 2 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 18 weeks
> Written by: Prince
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
42. A Change is Gonna Come (1964)
> Artist: Sam Cooke
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 31 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 7 weeks
> Written by: Sam Cooke
Source: Paras Griffin / Getty Images
41. Killing Me Softly With His Song (1973)
> Artist: Roberta Flack
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 5 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 16 weeks
> Written by: Roberta Flack
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images
40. Respect (1967)
> Artist: Aretha Franklin
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 12 weeks
> Written by: Aretha Franklin
39. Let’s Stay Together (1971)
> Artist: Al Green
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 16 weeks
> Written by: Al Green
Source: Steve Morley / Redferns via Getty Images
38. Like a Rolling Stone (1965)
> Artist: Bob Dylan
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 2 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 12 weeks
> Written by: Bob Dylan
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
37. Be My Baby (1963)
> Artist: The Ronettes
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 2 (for 3 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 13 weeks
> Written by: The Ronettes
Source: Clive Limpkin / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
36. God Only Knows (1966)
> Artist: The Beach Boys
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 39 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 8 weeks
> Written by: The Beach Boys
Source: Getty Images / Archive Photos via Getty Images
35. You Are the Sunshine of My Life (1972)
> Artist: Stevie Wonder
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 17 weeks
> Written by: Stevie Wonder
34. At Last (1960)
> Artist: Etta James
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 47 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 8 weeks
> Written by: Etta James
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
33. Suspicious Minds (1969)
> Artist: Elvis Presley
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 15 weeks
> Written by: Elvis Presley
Source: Eric Koch for Anefo / Wikimedia Commons
32. What’d I Say (1957)
> Artist: Ray Charles
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 6 (for 3 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 15 weeks
> Written by: Ray Charles
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images
31. Proud Mary (1969)
> Artist: Creedence Clearwater Revival
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 2 (for 3 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 14 weeks
> Written by: Creedence Clearwater Revival
Source: Fin Costello / Redferns via Getty Images
30. Dreams (1977)
> Artist: Fleetwood Mac
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 23 weeks
> Written by: Fleetwood Mac
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
29. The Sound Of Silence (1964)
> Artist: Simon & Garfunkel
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 14 weeks
> Written by: Simon & Garfunkel
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
28. My Girl (1965)
> Artist: The Temptations
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 13 weeks
> Written by: The Temptations
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
27. Stayin’ Alive (1977)
> Artist: Bee Gees
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 4 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 27 weeks
> Written by: Bee Gees
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Evening Standard / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
26. Superstition (1972)
> Artist: Stevie Wonder
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 16 weeks
> Written by: Stevie Wonder
Source: Samir Hussein / Getty Images
25. Walk on By (1964)
> Artist: Dionne Warwick
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 6 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 13 weeks
> Written by: Dionne Warwick
Source: Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
24. Bad Guy (2019)
> Artist: Billie Eilish
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 49 weeks
> Written by: Billie Eilish
Source: Matt Winkelmeyer / Getty Images
23. Since U Been Gone (2004)
> Artist: Kelly Clarkson
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 2 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 46 weeks
> Written by: Kelly Clarkson
Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
22. Hey Ya! (2003)
> Artist: Outkast
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 9 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 32 weeks
> Written by: Outkast
Source: Tim P. Whitby / Getty Images
21. Billie Jean (1982)
> Artist: Michael Jackson
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 7 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 25 weeks
> Written by: Michael Jackson
Source: David Redfern / Redferns via Getty Images
20. What’s Going On (1971)
> Artist: Marvin Gaye
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 2 (for 3 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 15 weeks
> Written by: Marvin Gaye
Source: Photo by Jeff Kravitz / FilmMagic / Getty Images
19. Smells Like Teen Spirit (1991)
> Artist: Nirvana
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 6 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 20 weeks
> Written by: Nirvana
18. (Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay (1967)
> Artist: Otis Redding
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 4 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 16 weeks
> Written by: Otis Redding
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
17. Will You Love Me Tomorrow (1960)
> Artist: The Shirelles
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 19 weeks
> Written by: The Shirelles
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
16. I Only Have Eyes for You (1959)
> Artist: The Flamingos
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 11 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 13 weeks
> Written by: The Flamingos
Source: Evening Standard / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
15. Hallelujah (1984)
> Artist: Leonard Cohen
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 59 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 1 week
> Written by: Leonard Cohen
Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images
14. I Will Always Love You (1992)
> Artist: Whitney Houston
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 14 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 29 weeks
> Written by: Whitney Houston
Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images
13. Royals (2011)
> Artist: Lorde
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 9 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 44 weeks
> Written by: Lorde
Source: Central Press / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
12. (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction (1965)
> Artist: The Rolling Stones
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 4 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 14 weeks
> Written by: The Rolling Stones
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
11. Stand by Me (1961)
> Artist: Ben E. King
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 4 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 35 weeks
> Written by: Ben E. King
Source: Fox Photos / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
10. Bohemian Rhapsody (1975)
> Artist: Queen
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 2 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 44 weeks
> Written by: Queen
Source: Hulton Archive / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
9. Let It Be (1970)
> Artist: The Beatles
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 14 weeks
> Written by: The Beatles
Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
8. Rolling in the Deep (2011)
> Artist: Adele
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 7 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 65 weeks
> Written by: Adele
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
7. Imagine (1971)
> Artist: John Lennon
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 3 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 9 weeks
> Written by: John Lennon
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Frank Micelotta / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
6. Unchained Melody (1965)
> Artist: The Righteous Brothers
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 4 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 57 weeks
> Written by: The Righteous Brothers
Source: Keystone / Getty Images
5. What a Wonderful World (1967)
> Artist: Louis Armstrong
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 32 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 11 week
> Written by: Louis Armstrong
Source: BIPS / Hulton Archive via Getty Images
4. Hey Jude (1968)
> Artist: The Beatles
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 9 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 19 weeks
> Written by: The Beatles
3. Georgia On My Mind (1960)
> Artist: Ray Charles
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 13 weeks
> Written by: Ray Charles
Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images
2. Bridge Over Troubled Water (1970)
> Artist: Simon & Garfunkel
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 6 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 14 weeks
> Written by: Simon & Garfunkel
Source: Courtesy of United Artists
1. Yesterday (1965)
> Artist: The Beatles
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 4 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 11 week
> Written by: The Beatles
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